The winter years: The Depression on the Prairies

by James H. Gray

On October 24, 1929, The New York Stock Exchange gave one final shudder and collapsed. The world awakened to discover that the Roaring Twenties with their cheerful message of abundance and good times were over. The Great Depression had begun and for the next ten years the entire world would feel its effect.

Nowhere was it felt more keenly than in western Canada where men walked streets past closed mills, and farmers gazed endlessly at barren fields. James Gray lived in Winnipeg during those years. He stood in line for relief vouchers to support his young family and, with other men, he picked dandelions in city parks. As a young reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, he was caught up in the unrest, as indignant men sought answers from governments. And he was there when the answers did not come, and the men rioted in Winnipeg and Regina, and headed for Ottawa in freight cars.

Originally published in 1966, The Winter Years was an instant bestseller. It captures a dark period in history with a warmth, humour, and honesty that is evocative and unforgettable.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

220 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Maurice Tougas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most comprehensive document about life on the Prairies during the depression, written by a man who lived through it all. This book, which should be in every Western Canadian library, was difficult to find. I had to borrow it from a library in Medicine Hat - and the book was printed in 1966. Tragic how difficult it is to find Western Canadian history in our libraries.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

i havaent read it

[Derrick Grose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging journalistic account of the depression years in western Canada focusing on the author's personal experiences, interesting characters who emerged, and the lessons that were eventually learned to improve Prairie and Canadian society. The author describes subtle differences in the experience of the dirty thirties from person to person and place to place that were evident to him from his on-the-ground perspective. It is interesting for a pandemic era reader to compare the usually well-intentioned stumbling about of contemporary politicians with efforts of 1930's era politicians spending a decade hoping that it would all be better next year.

[Craftylaurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read over all. It's good to read about someone's very personal experience instead of just relying on what you read in a history book.

I did gloss over the more in depth sections explaining some of the politics of Depression Era Winnipeg but that's just because I was lazy.

Also - I read this entire book in Rex Murphy's voice.

[Judith Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent story of the Depression, the “dirty thirties” and how it looked both from the perspective of a victim, on relief, and later from a news reporter. While this edition (2003) could benefit from a few edits, it’s well told. Original published in 1966. Must be out of print as searching high and low for a copy and can’t find one to purchase.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book looks at the “Dirty Thirties” (the depression in the 1930s) in the Prairie Provinces in Canada. More specifically, the author was living in Winnipeg at the time with a young family. Many chapters are a memoir, but there are also other chapters that look at the broader picture of what was going on.

I will admit that I was a little disappointed, initially. I wanted a Canadian perspective, but I had hoped for more about the drought and the farmers. There was some of that, and that was probably the parts I found most interesting, though some of the rest of it was more interesting than I expected. And there were parts that I wasn't as interested in. Overall, though, I'll rate it good.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written account of The authors survival during the 1930's on relief including many tales from that era of people he met in a variety of ways. Mr Gray does an excellant job in recapturing what people lived through and suceeds in doing it in a very positive way. he points out some of the good things that came out of that bleak period.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for anyone that enjoys Canadian history.

[Les Marston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating view of the depression years in Winnipeg and the prairies.